Salt Water Rinse for the Nose

Vinod K. Anand, MD, FACS Nose and Sinus Clinic

Salt Water Rinse for the Nose

SALT WATER RINSE FOR THE NOSE (BUFFERED HYPERTONIC SALINE NASAL IRRIGATION)

The Benefits ? When you rinse your nose with this salt water and baking soda mixture, it washes crusts and other debris from your nose.

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Salty water pulls fluid out of the swollen membranes of your nose. This

decongests the nose and improves air flow. Not only does this make breathing easier, but

it helps open the sinus passages.

? Studies show that this mixture of concentrated salt water and baking soda (bicarbonate) helps the nose work better and moves mucus out of the nose faster.

The Recipe

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Carefully clean and rinse a 1 -quart glass jar. Fill the clean jar with tap water or

bottled water. You do not have to boil the water.

? Add 2 to 3 heaping teaspoons of "pickling/canning" salt. Do not use table salt, which has unwanted additives. You can ask for pickling/canning salt at the grocery store.

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Add 1 rounded teaspoon of baking soda (pure bicarbonate).

? Stir or shake before each use. Store at room temperature. Alter a week, pour out any mixture that is left over and make a new recipe.

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If the mixture seems too strong, use less salt-try 1 to 2 teaspoons of salt. For

children. it is best to start with a weaker salt water mixture. Then gradually increase to

using 2 to 3 heaping teaspoons of salt, or whatever the child will accept.

The Instructions ? Plan to rinse the nose with the salt water mixture 2 to 3 times each day. Make the salt water and baking soda mixture according to the recipe. You will need a bulb/ear syringe, a large medical syringe (30 ml), or a Waterpik.

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Pour some salt water mixture into a clean bowl. Many people like to warm the salt

water in a microwave oven to about body temperature. Be sure that the salt water is not

hot.

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Fill the syringe with salt water from the bowl. Do not put your used syringe back

into the jar, because that will contaminate your salt water.

? Stand over the sink or in the shower and squirt the salt water into each side of your nose. Aim the stream toward the back of your head. not the top of your head. This lets you spit some of the salt water out of your mouth. It will not hurt if you swallow a little.

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Most people notice a mild burning feeling the first few times they use the salt

water mixture. This usually goes away in a few days. Please call our office if you have

any problems or questions.

For Young Children You can put the salt water into a small commercial spray container, like a nasal steroid spray bottle. Squirt it many times into each side of the nose. Do not force your child to lie down. This rinse is easier to do when sitting or standing.

If You Use a Nasal Steroid You should always use the salt water mixture first, then use your nasal steroid spray (like Flonase. Vancenase. Beconase. Nasacort). The steroid works better when it is sprayed onto nasal membranes that have been cleaned and decongested by the salt water. Then the steroid medicine will reach deeper into the nose and sinuses.

1993. American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. This leaflet is published as a public service. The material may be freely used so long as attribution is given to the American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, Inc., Alexandria, VA.

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